Pros Pick: Edgar vs. Henderson

For the first time in more than a decade, the world’s leading mixed
martial arts promotion will return to the Land of the Rising
Sun.

UFC
144 on Saturday features a five-round lightweight title bout
between champion Frankie
Edgar and the surging Ben
Henderson at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Many
have already pegged it as a potential “Fight of the Year”
candidate.

Sherdog.com caught up with a number of professional fighters and
trainers to gauge their opinions on the UFC 144 headliner:

Ben
Askren: I got Edgar. I am not really sure how, but he
always gets the job done.

Jim
Miller: I think Frankie’s got better wrestling and better
hands. If Ben is able to take him down, I think Frankie’s going to
pop right back up and get back to doing what he does and just
outwork him. It’s going to be a tough fight; can’t count Ben out.
He’s a tough guy, very athletic, comes in good shape, he’s got good
striking and he’s got good subs, but I don’t think they’re good
enough to beat Frankie.

Zach
Makovsky: I really think Henderson is a very tough matchup
for Frankie, but how can you bet against the toughest, most
determined guy in the sport? Edgar wins by decision.

Joe
Duarte: After watching Edgar take out [Gray] Maynard twice,
I have come to the realization that he does not get tired. I got
Edgar taking this five-round affair, even though Henderson has a
head of hair that would make Troy Polamalu jealous.

Keith
Berry: If you follow my picks, you know by now I kinda suck
(laughs), but I speak from the heart. I’m saying Ben wins by
decision.

Benji
Radach: Wow, what a kick-ass fight this will be. I’m gonna
pull for Henderson. Got to train with the kid this summer and had a
blast. I think his athleticism is going to pull through on this
one.

Dave
Mandel

Edgar is a slight favorite with the pros.

Mike
Ciesnolevicz: To be honest, I lost a lot of interest in the
155-pound division since B.J. Penn lost
to Edgar twice. I liked watching B.J. fight because he did not play
a point game and came to finish people. I still think B.J. is the
best fighter at 155. Henderson keeps winning and quietly is
becoming one of the best lightweights. I think he poses some
interesting problems for Edgar, particularly size and grappling
ability. He has won some fights I did not see him winning in the
past. I have not been impressed with his striking up until this
point, and I think that is where Edgar wins this fight. I think
Edgar is just a bit more developed as an MMA fighter and will use
his quickness and hand combos to score points to take the
decision.

Joseph
Sandoval: I’m gonna go for Henderson on this one. Ben has
been an absolute beast since the shift from the WEC. I think his
pressure and striking will make for a great fight with Edgar. I got
Henderson taking it in a unanimous decision.

Jeff
Hougland: Well, it’s really hard to go against Edgar. The
guy is just an amazing fighter, but I’m going to pick Henderson
by
decision or possibly a guillotine choke.

Kyle
Kingsbury: I like Henderson to get the upset but would
never bet against Edgar, so I basically have no idea.

Travis
Wiuff: Edgar is too good right now. His experience in big
fights will play a big factor. Edgar wins by third-round
stoppage.

Ricardo
Liborio: I see Edgar having a small advantage in striking.
I go with Edgar by decision.

John
Gunderson: This is a great fight between two top-notch
athletes. I have to go with Frankie, though, because of his
big-fight experience, speed and also who he’s beaten in the last
few years. But you can’t count Henderson out because he comes
forward non-stop and has the grappling to slow things down and wear
on Frankie.

Erik
Paulson: Wow, what a size difference between these two.
Frankie is gonna really have to use his footwork, implementing
overhands, hooks and uppercuts, and get that takedown. Ben needs to
stay long and be super fast to try to snipe him as he’s coming in.
On the ground, Ben can possibly get a triangle from the guard
because of his long legs. In the end, I’m gonna take the taller of
the two.